Nepal polls outcome will transform SA: Left

New Delhi, Apr 17: Hailing the Maoists' victory in the Constituent Assembly polls in Nepal, the Left parties today said it would go a long way in ''re-establishing the supremacy of the democratic process for socialist transformation'' not only in India but in the entire South Asia.

Complimenting the Manmohan Singh government for deciding to work with the incoming government in Nepal, the two main Indian Left parties -- CPI and CPI(M)-- said the " positive development" in Nepal would have a definite impact on people's democratic struggles in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

CPI general secretary A B Bardhan and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said the political change in the Himalayan nation also hold some lessons for ultra-Leftists in the country. " To our misguided extremist elements who go under the banner of Maoists (it is time) to draw a few lessons," they said, adding, " they (Indian Maoists) have been living under illusion and self-made concepts (for societal tansformation)." Mr Bardhan and his party national secretary Shamim Faizi told UNI that " Marxism never approved violence, particularly individual terrorism. Its emphasis is on winning over masses to our cause through the democratic process."

They said the results in Nepal and Italy also hold a lesson for the mainstream Left parties in the country." Fragmented and confused policies cannot win support of the masses. The Left parties, particularly the mainstream Communists, should draw appropriate lessons and close their ranks." Congratulating the Nepalese Maoists, Mr Yechury said it was good they engaged in competitive democratic politics to write a new republican constitution. He appealed to Indian Maoists to learn an appropriate lesson from their Nepalese counterparts and eschew gun culture.

Forward Bloc general secretary Debabrat Biswas described the Maoists' win as a " victory of people over the Palace." It also symbolises their determination to bring an end to monarchy and dynasty. "The Maoists took an unflinching and uncompromising stand on the issue, while other mainstream political parties showed ambivalent attitude." While complimenting the Indian government for having reconciled to the political change in Nepal, Mr Biswas, however, said, " the final victory is far away as the United States have yet to reconcile to the changed realities in Nepal." The Maoists still figure high on the US terror list.

Mr Faizi said the Nepalese Maoists had earlier toed "wrong ideological proposition that revolutionary transformation of society could be accomplished by an armed struggle and insurgency only". But their experience showed them that people's support and power is the only guarantee for any change brought about by democratic means, they added.

The Left leaders said now there was an urgent need to maintain political consensus for a "republican constitution" in the mountainous nation.